A Revolution for Equality & Justice

By Peter R. Ramsaroop

My column last week “Elections 2006 – The Will of the People, Not of a Party” came under heavy criticism from the agency (GECOM) set up to deliver a fair and free election to the people of Guyana. Everyday, it is becoming obvious that the necessary requirements for us to have the environment where we can truly have such an election will not be in place by the mandated constitutional date.

This last week, we read the full-page advertisement from ACDA, calling for all Afro-Guyanese not to go to the polls. They give ten reasons for this call. I am a full believer in us exercising our democratic right to vote, but given the current system where constitutional changes recommended have not been completed, an election list that is being challenged by the combined opposition and many in civil society, and a system that allows the ruling party to exploit some segments of the population and marginalise another, one can then understand why sections of our society are so skeptical. It is not enough for the Government and some members of the GECOM or even the international community to be satisfied with the process, democracy requires that the process manifestly convey an appearance of fairness to all the citizens of our nation.

It should be noted that many of the points posited by ACDA’s message are applicable to Guyanese across all racial and ethnic boundaries. Every group in this country is entitled to an assurance that elections will bring freedom and democracy, and not more of the same. I also submit to you that every distinct group in Guyana faces and is paying the cost of inequitable distribution of rights and resources.

A close advisor to me said, while he feels that ACDA ostensibly proffers arguments on behalf of the Afro-Guyanese Population, the plight of smaller Guyanese minority groupings, given the current electoral system and voting pattern, is even more grim. It is doubtful that an Amerindian or Portuguese or Chinese child, if questioned on his or her aspirations, could even remotely harbor the illusion that they could grow up and become President of their nation. That's a sad indictment of our political process.

ACDA’s other points bring little argument from many of us. “Elections as they are presently constituted will not give us the political space to compete economically and otherwise”. Not when significant segments of the population perceive that they are being shunted to the fringes of the society. We have to create conditions in this country where people have a reasonable expectation of peace and security and justice, and also confidence that the means of production and distribution will operate in a fair and balanced fashion, making economic parity a natural destination for most. This should not be the hope for some of us. It should the goal of all of us whose hearts pulsate with a yearning for the time when we can sit and witness the disbelief in the eyes of our grandchildren as we relate what these times were like.

ACDA has advanced a position it feels that those on whose behalf it speaks, are entitled to take. Yes, there are many who will be critical of this position. One can reasonably suggest that abstaining from participation in the electoral process might not be the soundest of strategies at this time. However, we all are looking at the situation through prisms that are determined by our economic state, our political affiliations, and yes, even our race.

Based on comments in the media it is clear that there are portions of our society with no links to ACDA or the PNCR who also feel that another win for the PPP would give legitimacy to the divisive authoritarianism to which the present constitutional framework and voting patterns gives rise. There are some who define this authoritarianism as bordering on being semi fascist, a frightening progression to contemplate. When a political entity becomes assured of its electoral prospects by virtue of a racial relationship with the majority, there are few disincentives for it to consider or take into account the concerns of the opposition or anyone else who disagrees with them.

Look at the situation with the State Media, a veritable mouthpiece for the ruling party. Stella Ramsaroop, on overseas-based columnist, recently lamented over the PNC’s inaction during the floods even though she admitted that she could be wrong. The issue was not the PNC’s inaction but the fact that the state media completely ignored the flood relief efforts and activities of the main opposition party.

In the midst of a disaster when Guyanese of all stripes are inundated with water due to neglect of the drainage systems, the ruling party opted to play politics with media instruments of the state. This is the kind of attitude and behavior that must have been foremost in the mind of Lord Acton when he coined the phrase, “power corrupts and absolute power tend to corrupt absolutely”. It appears that the government has paid out money to the residents of the flood-affected communities prior to telling them that they have to intentionally flood their communities again. I submit that is the CON of 2006.

It should also be noted that Tain did not erupt because the residents living there wanted to have fun in the streets. It erupted because they perceived their situation to be insecure and not receiving the kind of attention it should from a State Agency, to wit, Law Enforcement. I would also recommend to anyone who did not look at what the state media showed during the fake arrests in Buxton to do so. That is more of a treason charge than the definition of the same as it is currently portrayed.

Let’s not also forget the major injustice we experienced just this past week regarding the proposed amendment of the Trade Union Congress. This is a dictatorial attempt to interfere with democracy and the rights of union workers and validates the autocratic rule of our government.

Given we are a major crossroad of our nation transition into the global 21st Century, we the people, must bond together in a revolutionary way in order to fight for justice and equality from a system that openly subscribes to “If you are not with us, then you are against us.” Maybe it is time for a caretaker government versus an undertaker regime.

Let’s stand up and be counted. Let’s get it right once and for all. Let’s put the systems in place where we can exercise our democratic right to vote, not a system where the term democracy is abused by the cover-up of racism, marginalisation, and authoritarian actions.